Ferron City agrees to pitch in to train EMTs

Emery County Commissioner Jeff Horrocks, along with Jim Gordon, supervisor of the Emery County Ambulance Service, approached the Ferron City Council with a request to partner with the ambulance service. As explained by Commissioner Horrocks, this move would require Ferron City to pay a third of the cost to train any emergency medical technicians from Ferron City.

"We recently moved the ambulance service from the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office to become a stand alone entity," said Commissioner Horrocks. "We have had problems maintaining EMTs to run the service. We are asking each of the communities to partner with the ambulance service and asking them to pay one third of the cost to train an incoming EMT. The cost to train one EMT at the basic level is $650. We are asking you to pay one third, the ambulance service will pay one third, and the trainee will be required to pay one third of that cost.

"Our suggestion is to require the trainee to pass the certification test at the conclusion of the training and also be required to sign a contract to serve for a period deemed appropriate by the city. We are suggesting a period of one year. If a person who is already an EMT is willing to recertify for the ambulance service, we will also pay for the recertification," said Commissioner Horrocks. He also added the time for the State to approve to have classes is 30 days, and they are working to have that time waived so classes may begin as soon as possible.

Commissioner Horrocks went on to say, "Some changes in the ambulance service have already taken place. We now have a scheduling and supply coordinator in each town. We did not send any of the EMTs to the conference this year because we are saving the funds to bring in instructors and the EMTs will be paid to attend these classes for their hours in training. Sue Copinga has been hired as the county training officer and she and Jimmy are holding training sessions each Thursday around the county. It takes 120 hours of training for a person to certify as an EMT at the basic level, and 100 hours of training to recertify," concluded Commissioner Horrocks.

Gordon said, "Things are changing on the national level and those changes are coming in July. We are trying to be ready when they come."

Before the council discussed the issue of partnering with the ambulance service, Ferron City Councilman Garrett Hansen asked about a rumor to take the ambulance out of Ferron due to the lack of a sufficient number of EMTs to run. Commissioner Horrocks said that is only a rumor and there are no plans to remove the ambulance from Ferron. The council approved to partner with the ambulance service for the training of new EMTs.

In other actions taken by Ferron City Council, it was approved to become involved with a project being undertaken by the Utah Association of Conservation Districts to mark each of the storm drains in the cities. Daniel Gunnell of the UACD said the markers are being ordered and a number is needed for those cities wishing to participate.

These markers are to be placed by each drain and contain information concerning what materials are appropriate to be put down the drains.

"These markers have reminders on them that anything that goes into the storm drains will end up in the water supply or on a nearby farm. This could possibly be an Eagle Scout project," said Gunnell.

The council approved to participate in this program. The UACD will pay 60 percent of the cost and the city will be required to pay 40 percent of the cost. Labor cost for the installation can be counted as the city's portion of the project.

The council approved to appoint Randy Nielson, the fire chief, to sit on the fire service district board. It was also approved to donate $100 to the Miss Emery Pageant to be held July 11 at the Emery High Auditorium.

Beginning immediately, the city will advertise to hire a full time maintenance person. The job description will be reviewed and updated for this position.

Councilman Trent Jackson announced the restaurant at Millsite Golf Course is now open. Marv and Elaine Garrett are running the Snack Shack and it will be open Thursday through Sunday. He said the new baseball fields are nearly ready for play, the bases will be installed soon.

Councilman Joe Trenery informed the council he had attended road school. He also received NIMS training and certification. Clean-up at the fairgrounds in preparation for the junior livestock show will be held July 6.

Councilman Mike Behling requested council feedback concerning the automated water meters. This project needs to be placed on the agenda for action and budget placement. Mayor JoAnn Behling instructed Councilman Behling to select a portion of the city and secure the numbers to bring to the council for consideration.

Councilman Hansen asked Commissioner Horrocks about the county wide animal control ordinances being discussed. Commissioner Horrocks explained the county is advertising for a county animal control officer and will conduct interviews soon. This county officer will work during the daytime which will enable city personnel to be called during nighttime hours. The county is also working to adopt countywide rules and penalties for animal control.

The next Ferron City Council meeting will be held June 11 at 7 p.m. at city hall.